The Pointillism Paradox: Looking at the Whole Picture in Weight Loss

Blame my love for post impressionism, but over the last few weeks I have been looking at our weight loss challenges and repeating to too many Ton of Fun participants to "look at the whole picture". This is received by understanding nods and a slight glimpse of suspicion in the eyes. There is a method behind my madness, so please allow me to explain it to you.

"He is full on Monet….From far away he is ok, but up close he is a big mess." (Clueless, 1995)

Although this is one of my favorite ways to describe someone (and come one this is a fabulous movie) this is not you. You are not a "big mess" you are precise and planned. Not the thick and quick brush strokes of Monet but the scientific and heuristic thought of Seurat or Signac. However if you look at yourself too close I guarantee you'll give yourself a nasty headache.

When I see a weight loss participant I see a pointillism painting. If you are not familiar with pointillism it is a unique way of creating images with small precise dots of color. These dots of color, when blended create a wide range of tones, shadows and light. Step back from the artwork and look at the picture as a whole, it creates a full understanding image. Paul Signac and Georges Seurat are two of the most well-known artists during the pointillism era. These artists were more akin scientists examining each small dot of color establishing hue and tone taking months or years to create a single masterpiece.

Are you connecting the dots yet?

Right now you are examining each little dot no matter how small or precise it may be. You are focused on each time you step on the scale or each piece of food that goes into your mouth. Although attention to your actions is good it can be stressful, and in the end defeating. Your focus on a small little piece, stare too closely and give yourself a headache. Take a step back and see the masterpiece for what it is; hundreds of thousands of those little dots. Those dots are all different hues; each an event that has played a role in your weight loss goals. Your masterpiece is made up of every triumph, defeat, healthy and unhealthy choice and every weigh in. Each dot is just one little fraction of your masterpiece. Every time you get a headache because you are too focused on each weigh-in or decision you have made, take a step back and look at the whole masterpiece instead.